Tommy Deas makes 'The Call:' Alabama vs. Tennessee

Thursday

Oct 24, 2013 at 9:00 PMOct 24, 2013 at 9:45 PM

Executive sports editor Tommy Deas previews the game with Tennessee.

By Tommy DeasExecutive Sports Editor | The Tuscaloosa News

Tommy Deas

ADVANTAGEOFFENSE
Tennessee has one of the best offensive lines in the country, anchored by big Antonio “Tiny” Richardson, and likes to play physical football. Quarterback Justin Worley, however, has been erratic and struggled with accuracy. Alabama's running game is improving, with Kenyan Drake showing game-breaking ability, and AJ McCarron has been efficient and effective while throwing to a varity of targets.
ADVANTAGEDEFENSE
The return of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix couldn't have come at a better time for UA, which is depleted in the secondary. Even so, only two teams have topped the 200-yard mark passing against Alabama, and no team has run for more than 165 yards. Tennessee seems soft against the pass, allowing 230 yards per game, but Georgia and South Carolina had trouble throwing against the Vols. UT, however, is allowing 27 points per game.
ADVANTAGESPECIAL TEAMS
The Volunteers have a proven kicker in Michael Palardy, who is 8 for 10 on field goals and hit a chip shot to win the South Carolina game. He is also averaging 44.5 yards per punt. Alabama has sound kicking specialists in Cade Foster and Cody Mandell, and nobody has been better than Dee Hart in making tackles on the coverage units. Christion Jones seems to be about due to break another long return.
ADVANTAGECOACHING
Alabama's Nick Saban brought in Greg Brown, an experienced assistant with 15 years of NFL experience, to coach the secondary. Somehow Brown and Saban have managed to keep the defensive backfield cohesive despite lineup changes due to injuries and other causes. Tennessee's Butch Jones has done a remarkable job of keeping the Volunteers focused after a rough start to the season, a sign that UT may finally be on the rise again.
ADVANTAGEINTANGIBLES
This game may matter more to Tennessee, which has lost six straight to Alabama. The Volunteers come into Bryant-Denny Stadium with some confidence after upending South Carolina last weekend and taking Georgia to overtime in their previous game. UA has had three straight easy wins to develop depth and focus on improvement, so this game should be a good indication of how far Alabama has come.

PREDICTION

BAMA 38, Tennessee 13
Alabama has breezed through the October portion of its schedule so far. Now comes a Tennessee team that took some early lumps but now seems to be playing well. The Crimson Tide is just too talented and too well-coached to allow the Vols to stay in this one to the end.